Two of Malaysia’s leading rental companies came together this summer to ensure Metallica’s first-ever concert in the country would be a memorable event. By merging their Meyer Sound inventories, Kuala Lumpur-based EHQ Projects and Selangor-based SES Sound & Lighting created a huge 146-loudspeaker system based around MILO line array loudspeakers.
“There were no delays, but the sound was clear and very loud even 100 meters back from the stage,” recalls Jay Neil, technical director of EHQ Projects. “Afterwards, I had people telling me it sounded like a CD on a great stereo.”
In order to cover an audience of 30,000 in Kuala Lumpur’s Stadium Merdeka, the two companies configured a system of 72 MILO loudspeakers, including 40 for main hangs, 30 for side hangs, and two for out fills. Front fill was provided by 12 M’elodie line array loudspeakers, and 40 700-HP subwoofers provided ample low end.
System drive and alignment was supplied by a Galileo loudspeaker management system with two Galileo 616 processors. Dual side fill arrays featuring five-each MILO loudspeakers over two-each 700-HP subwoofers combined with 26 MJF-212A stage monitors to provide on-stage foldback.
FOH mixing duties were handled by “Big Mick” Hughes, Metallica’s long-time engineer. Monitor engineer Bob Cowan and assistant monitor engineer Adam Correia handled the band’s on-stage mix.
“After the show, the media reported that it was the first time they’d head really great sound at an outdoor rock concert in Malaysia,” says Neil. “Big Mick deserves a great deal of credit for mixing Metallica as only he can.”
Andrew Warren, managing director for EHQ Projects, worked closely with Neil, while Frankie Lau, Marcus Koay, and Frando Ho coordinated logistics for SES Sound & Lighting under the supervision of managing director S.T. Ho.
“Metallica was the show of a lifetime,” says Neil. “We want to thank SES for coming on board as a partner to make it a great success.”
Metallica’s Malaysian appearance was produced and organized by Galaxy Group, in association with LAMC Productions and Rockstar Touring.